Tamron 17-50, Sigma 17-70 or Canon 17-85

[Lost n' Translation]

Which of these lenses would you choose for a general purpose. The Tamron looks to be better optically, but the Canon and Sigma have nice range. This lens will also complement a Canon 70-300 IS.

 

[fhirleighinn]

I have not really looked at any of those lenses (I shoot Nikon....), but I would choose the canon 17-85 just based on the range. I think that you need to have the wider view.

 

[AndrewWG]

I would go with the Canon. It isn't a very fast lens but it has IS and the image quality is really good. I have it and regularly use it as my walk around lens.

 

[fitzperry]

Can't speak for the Canon 'cause I'm a Nikon gal. I have the Tamron in the Nikon mount and have been very pleased with it. Nice and sharp, great colors, etc. It has a max aperture of 2.8 throughout the zoom range and for that reason I'd probably recommend it over the Sigma, which I believe does not, if you can sacrifice the wider end. There are a couple of other Sigma and Tamron models in the 17 or 18 to 50 or 55 range that are f/2.8 throughout and which get pretty good reviews. Those might be worth checking out as well.

 

[Anewman]

I would take optical quality over range.

And I would take a faster lens over IS.


But that is just me.

 

[Shutterbug]

I have not heard a good thing about the Canon 17-85 most because of poor image quality.
I have the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and am 98% happy with it. The 1% I dont like is because it zooms the opposite way of canon lens. The other 1% is because of the focusing motor is louder than other lens motors although most of the time that doesnt bother me.

I tried the Sigma 18-50 2.8 macro. The camera store both two of this lens. Both of them had terrible front focusing issues and not very good IQ. So I ended up with the Tamron.

Now if you can afford it, let me suggest the Canon 17-55 EF-S 2.8 IS USM

 

[Lost n' Translation]

After looking the the differences on Flickr, the Tamron 17-50 definitely is better optically. It is shorter than I want, but can't argue with results. I wanted to pair with the Canon 70-300 IS, but I guess I will now pair with the Canon 55-250 IS.

Thanks for your inputs.